"Into the Vortex"  Available for sale here.

The heavy scent of honey
Hanging in the damp, warm air
Crickets chirping
Birds snuggling in
As the sun nestles down into the horizon.

:: Dress c/o Jada Dreaming :: Headpiece is a necklace c/o Whimsy Emporium ::

Only love,
Katelyn

The one who made me a mother.
This little free spirited, fiery soul.
Oh how you have changed me in ways I never imagined.
Your deep love for everything you do.
The passion you put into the world.

To another year, growing older, wiser, and still being the same funny, charming, powerful girl.
May we learn more about each other each and every day.

I hope your sixth birthday was everything you wished for.

I love you more than the moon.

A very happy anniversary to the dear husband of mine.
The bmx boy I met in high school.
The one that told me he was going to marry me at 15 years old.
The one that scared me with his absolute determination in that statement that I ran.
The sweetest man I've ever known.
Who would do anything for his family.

We've grown so much together.
He has seen me through many tough times.
And has supported me in all my many endeavors that are ever changing.

The guy who still makes me week in the knees.
And has the most beautiful and deep dark brown amber eyes.
With his adorable giggles and the eye giggles that go with them.

To 80 more years, because we plan on living to be over 100, happy and healthy.

To my love, on our seventh wedding anniversary.
You always have my heart.

::Documenting this woman on the 27th year::

Today I feel heavy. And I can't pinpoint the exact cause of this weight. I am very happy with growing another year older, but through this last revolution, I am not sure I can tell you any thing that I have learned that has made me grow stronger. Actually as the days, months, hours pass by I feel myself weakening.
This whole dance, two steps forward, three steps back, is getting old. As I've said a few times over the last year, "Can't I just be done growing for a while?" I find myself asking the same questions again. I find myself drawing in. Becoming more guarded and private.
The creepy crawlies of a constant tinge of loneliness. The very real feelings of being unimportant. Placing unfair expectations on others and wishing the ways I showed them love were reciprocated similarly.
I'm just not sure where to go from here.

But with saying this, I am so very grateful to those who take the time out to hold me up when I am down, to celebrate me, even when I am hiding the fact I don't feel up to celebrating, feeling sorry for myself and sitting in a stew of grumpiness. The friends that take care of me especially during the times my husband is gone at work.

Here's to getting my shit together during this next year.

Katelyn

When you don't see the end in sight
The cold breathing down your neck
The fear it is going to over take you
She steps in with grace
She whispers,
"Dear one, just have faith, for you know I always come for you."
She pulls some magic from her sack
With a touch of warmth
A gentleness about her eyes

And you feel your cold toes thawing
Because you could no longer bare the constraints of shoes
You just had to dip your toes in the earth
Just a bit too soon

Ostara, the great mother of Spring
Oh
With the smell of sweet honeysuckle and jasmine
And the wet earth beneath your finger nails
The explosion of blooms and blossoms
The mischief of squirrels in the trees
The fertility of a bunny
The goldenrod sunsets
Topped with a warm soft breeze.

{Photo Credits}
:: Model Jessica Hargrave :: Jacket c/o The Selkie Folk :: Barefoot Sandals from Run With the Tribe :: Earrings and bunny necklace from Roots and Feathers :: Crown made by myself :: Statement Ring from Earthbound Trading :: Moon Phase necklace (worn as a bracelet) c/o Aurora Shadow ::

I am so honored that two of my photos got used in this season's Amulet Magazine, one of them being used as the cover photo! Get a copy of the magazine here, and just check out the site in general because it's a gorgeous offering.

Only love,
Katelyn
 

Tonight a winner was chosen, by little Miss Penelope. She gingerly pulled out one paper and handed it over to me. Congratulations Danielle Galante and email me at gypsymothsol@gmail.com with your address.
Because Penelope picked a name, naturally, Leena wanted to pick a name as well. So I let her pick. She picked Amy Leigh, so Amy, I'd love to offer you a $15 shop credit. Email me and we will chat.
I hope you all survived the time shift if you do that sort of thing in your part of the world.

Only love,
Katelyn

So I did it, I launched my art shop. I am finally selling my art how I have dreamed of for years and it feels so right. If you look at the top you'll see "Art Prints" in the menu, follow that to go see. I will be adding more photos as seems fit but for now I am so in love with the selection there. There is also a custom framing option, but it doesn't have to be one of my prints. I am open to framing all prints.

As a way to celebrate, I'd love to gift one of you with the first signed print ever, "Hail".

To enter {7 chances to enter}.

• Leave a blog comment with your favorite conceptual photo I've done {required}.
• Blog about this giveaway.
• Subscribe to my newsletter {see form at the bottom of this blog}.
• Follow me on facebook.
• Share this on facebook.
• Follow me on Instagram {@gypsymothsol}.
• Instagram this photo:

Make sure to tag me @gypsymothsol and hashtag #gypsymothsol.

Come back here and leave a blog comment with each item you did, along with any information I would need to know, like facebook name, instagram name, or links to blogs. When the giveaway is over I will put all names into a bowl and choose one lucky winner.

The giveaway will close on March 10th. I will choose the winner on the 11th. Good luck!

And through the month of March, to celebrate my birth month, use coupon code "celebrate" until March 31st to receive 10% off your print orders.

Only love,

Katelyn

Photo credits :: Model and Make up artist// Elle Byrd :: Make up c/o Cosmic Bath and Beauty :: Headpiece c/o Aurora Shadow ::

Only love,

Katelyn

*This giveaway has been extended.

I'm drawn to Freyja. I haven't quite figured out exactly why yet. She has many things to teach me, and I am open to receiving. A fertility and lust goddess, chief of the Valkyries, seemingly one of the greatest powers in the god/dess realm.

It was quite fun doing this photo shoot with my friend Chelsea, who I believe embodies Freyja perfectly.

Freyja has many different dynamics to explore and unlock. A complex creature she is.

I was inspired by this print that I have hanging in my studio, by Tammy Mae Moon, one of my favorite pieces in my house.

Details :: Modeling and Make up Artist by Elle Byrd :: Moon Phase necklace, worn as headpiece c/o Aurora Shadow :: Crystal Mystic Choker and Gypsyland Necklace c/o Soulmakes Jewelry :: Make up c/o Cosmic Bath and Beauty :: Nightingale Dress by Free People ::

What does Freyja speak to you?

I will be reading through this information on her because I am so fascinated.

Only love,

Katelyn

Woah. Suddenly it's clear. And I'm getting inspiration after inspiration of things I would love to offer. I've made big changes and came to the realization that this year, oh this year, it's time to shine my light.

Learning about boundaries and those I need to set and maintain for myself was hard. It downright hurt. But now that those first few layers of foundation have been laid, I have stable footing and a solid ground beneath my feet.

I've hidden for a while, behind fear, behind others, behind my own fake expectations of how things should turn out. And I'm ready to no longer hide. I'm working on a really special offering with another dear soul and can't wait to launch it. It has the potential to be something huge and we have already started planning side projects to extend from it. And it feels right and comfy.

If you haven't noticed some items popping up in the links up top, take a look. I will be offering weekly group ritual for the community. If you have a request that you need seen and heard, go check it out and fill out the form. I am very excited, honored, and humbled to be doing this work. To have your request worked on for tomorrow's ritual, please have it in before 6 am tomorrow morning. I will be spending the day preparing my tools.

Another new link that I just launched today is for what photography services I have to offer, including trading with lovely artisans such as yourself, to have your work featured in conceptual work of mine. It's been so amazing to get to work with such passionate souls and I can't wait to create the next concept this Sunday with a beautiful model that is always a pleasure to work with.

And fine art limited edition prints. I'm finally doing what I wish to be doing with selling my works. It never felt right to have a "mass" produced type feel. And while I love art being accessible, because lord knows I'd have far less art in my house if it wasn't for being able to purchase reprints, it just didn't set well in my stomach for me. So I'm researching papers and getting it all just so before relaunching the ability to purchase my art again in limited quantities. Fine art velvet paper, watercolor giclée paper. Oh, they both sound so lovely.

And I want to say a very special thank you to Makenna for helping me pull my businessy shit together and to Rain for helping me with the nitty gritty back end web stuff drama that has ensued with my site the last couple days!

So humbled to have so many supportive souls supporting me.

Katelyn

In her arms.

She bleeds.

The rape of Proserpina.

And salvation from the underworld.

A mother,

A maiden.

Reunited.

"Ceres and Proserpina"

A very special thank you to Spirit Y Sol for the amethyst and black macrame necklace, used as a headpiece on myself and Soul Makes for the Mystic Crystal Choker, worn as a headpiece by Leena.

Only love,

Katelyn

In the darkened world,

Through stormy skies and howling winds,

She conjures.

Drawing power from her amethyst and harnessing it through her athame,

She begins.

-----------------------------------------------------------

::Macramé Amethyst necklace c/o Spirit Y Sol::

::Make up c/o of Cosmic Bath and Beauty::

I am so very honored to be able to capture this gorgeous necklace. This necklace is my soul mate. Since I've gotten it I've worn it at least 4 times a week. I can't wait to photograph it some more. Thank you so much Catie! And this make up, OH this make up. It's some of the best make up out there. Also, the gal that runs it? Super sweet. Thanks Michelle! Can't wait to use it in more photos, not to mention in my day to day.

A special thanks to my friend Jodi for letting me borrow her gorgeous vintage dress.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Athena"

Honestly, I am not even sure if I like the top photo. But I am proud of these for all the work I've put into them. I want to put these photos out into the world, mostly because they show me trying. I am stepping out of my comfort zone. This year I am reconnecting with my art, the visions and dreams from my soul. And it will get messy and ugly, but through that comes growth. I never want to become stuck. And I've been there. Deep in the mud, stuck and uninspired. So if nothing else, here's me, being inspired.

-----------------------------------------------------------

::Detail shots// Click to view large::

Only love,

Katelyn

This has become a sort of tradition, going to see the Great Russian Nutcracker. And I love it. The excitement. The dressing up. The loud classical music.

This year was Penelope's first time. She did great, although she asked for my lipstick almost the entire time that she wasn't asleep. Part way through the second act she fell asleep on my chest. It was magic.

Leena got to watch some of her friends from ballet class, and her teacher assistants dance up on the big stage as well.

Oh and this dress. Yeah. Sigh. I'll be wearing it a lot. Starting on a date tonight with my handsome husband.

Only love,

Katelyn

Click to view large.

Oh Mother,

Great Mother,

To you we bow down.

Oh Mother,

Sweet Mother,

Blessed is our earth.

Your womb filled with possibility.

Your hands filled with love.

Oh Mother,

The Mother,

Oh your power and might.

Humbled to you,

In prayer.

Blessed be.

Photo two in my Maiden, Mother, Crone series. Stay tuned for the final, Crone.

:: Details :: Flower crown, made by myself :: Crystal necklace, made by myself :: White crochet dress, Chic Wish :: Pink dress, bought locally from a consignment shop :: Feather and Leather band, Gypsies Caravan :: Leather and Blue Kyanite medicine bag, Aquarius Nation ::

Only Love,

Katelyn

This holy day unto the land,

The darkest night we shall bring.

Oh Mother's Night,

This longest night,

Hand in hand,

We die.

We make space for renewal.

And in the morning we shall rise.

Rebirth.

Through the lands we gather strength,

From my beloved one.

Lugh,

Please rise again,

And light this foreign place.

As the sun,

I kiss you my love,

And bathe in the golden rays of you.

Model is my friend's daughter, Lizzy. A very special thank you to my dear friend Becca for being the most amazing photo assistant yesterday!

:: Make up c/o Cosmic Bath and Beauty :: Headpiece by Byuma :: Necklace by Roots and Feathers ::  Vintage velvet dress borrowed from my friend Jennifer :: Crochet Tunic from Chic Wish ::

Only love,

Katelyn

While in Texas this last time, we snuck in a photoshoot of Penelope and I after finishing up one for the Bohemian Collective. I am so grateful that Laura snapped these photos for me. They are some of my favorite of me with one of my girls. It's nice to have someone take photos of me WITH my family because sometimes I just feel like they'd look back and have nothing to show that I was there with them, walking hand in hand. Now I won't fade away. Thank you Laura.

*Photos by Laura, editing by myself.

::Kimono by Spell Designs::Penelope's Flower Crown by Flower Crown Society::Slip Dress/Tunic by Urban Outfitters::

Love love,

Katelyn

::Click photos to view large::
 

O SWEET AND TENDER MAIDEN by Lee Emmett

o sweet and tender maiden
do not weep for me
there will be another Spring
with blossoms on the tree

mock me not, o cruel man
you do not care for me
I gave my heart, my everthing
under this apple tree

o foolish, dearest sweetheart
listen carefully
be my true and lovely bride
till eternity

of course I'll be your darling
so happy we will be
love bears fruit in season
on the family tree

Outtake.

:: Wig by Taobaopit :: Dress borrowed from my lovely friend Jennifer :: Circular necklace and crystal crown made by myself ::

*Photo one of a three part series, Maiden, Mother, Crone. Stay tuned.

**I did not based this photo off of the poem, I just thought they fit nicely together.

Only love.

Katelyn

3 slices of thick cut humane organic bacon

3 free range organic chicken thighs

3 large carrots, chopped

5 celery stalks, chopped

1 medium yellow onion

1 1/2 cup white wine

1/3 cup brown rice flour

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

2-3 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp fresh chopped tarragon

1 stem rosemary, approx. 4 inches long

6 cups water (You can use chicken or vegetable stock if you have it for a more flavorful broth but it's tasty with just water if you don't have any on hand.)

1 large pinch of pink salt

Fresh ground pepper to taste

2 cups frozen peas

Dumplings:

2 cups Maninis Country Oat Bread Mix  (You may be able to substitute for Pamela's pancake and baking mix.)

3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp melted organic butter

1 pinch pink salt

2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

In a large pot or 6 quart dutch oven, on medium heat cook the bacon. Remove strips from pot and save for later. In the bacon grease, brown the chicken thighs. Once browned on both sides, remove and save for later. Add your carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Saute for 5 minutes, then add the white wine to deglaze the bottom of your pot. Let the veggies cook/soften for 5 minutes. Add the brown rice flour, the thyme, the garlic powder and the basil and let saute for 5 minutes stirring regularly so it doesn't burn. Add the water, the tarragon, and the rosemary stem, the salt and the pepper and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to your pot and let simmer for 20 minutes. Mix all the ingredients to create the dumplings while you wait. Remove chicken and shred, return to the pot. Chop bacon into bits and return to the pot. Gently drop dumpling balls into the broth, approximately 2 tablespoons in size. Cover with lid and let simmer for 15 minutes. Try not to peek to help the dumplings steam more thoroughly. Check a dumpling to make sure it's cooked all the way through. It shouldn't be doughy but it will be "rubbery" in a sense. If your dumpling isn't cooked through allow them to simmer for 5-10 minutes more. Stir in your frozen peas and let warm through. Serve and enjoy!

Only love and yummy food,

Katelyn

For the last few years but mainly the last one to two years, I've been living in a constant state of overwhelm. Whether that be good, bad, or in between, overwhelmed. I've been successful at hiding it at times and at other times, well, I've been one big walking mess of emotions from it, open and bleeding for the world to see. And I've pinpointed for a bit of time now where this has been mostly coming from. I've been living through years of perpetual yeses.

Yes to abusive friendships. 

Yes to project after project. 

Yes to holding others emotional shit for them. 

Yes to not allowing it to flow through me freely. 

Yes to taking on too much. 

Yes to starting when I wasn't ready. 

Yes to yelling. 

Yes to pain. 

Yes to anyone that asked anything of me. 

I was so afraid to disappoint anyone that I didn't see that I was disappointing myself.  I've started and veered from countless paths. And although I know this is normal, I'm completely fatigued from the journey that I'm afraid I'll get lost in the desert with not enough water and no way of being found, not even found by myself. I'm not sure I even recognize myself and the person I am today. Bruised and battered with fat lips and broken hips. All faults of my own. By allowing too much in.

Through the years of yeses, I have learned some valuable and hard lessons. Some more personal than others. But one of the greatest lessons has been how to ask for help, honest help, albeit pitifully, but that's a start.

So with the turning of the year, heading into darkness, I am doing something so soulfully dark, so richly haunting, and it's leaving me with a bit more air than I had in my lungs yesterday, I'm allowing myself a year of "No." 

No to anything that doesn't fulfill me. 

No to talking on others pain. 

No to not growing.  

No to not recognizing myself anymore. 

No to feeling obligated.

No to feeling left behind. 

No to a cluttered life. 

No to yes all the god damned time. 

It's time to start voicing my concerns. Letting my true voice be heard again. It's time to start the ball rolling on major changes in my life, in my family's life. And without saying yes all the time, leaving myself depleted, there will be more room to grow. More room to live and breathe.  

Don't get me wrong. I'll be saying plenty of yeses but mostly to myself and my family. To growth. And to no more fear and crippling overwhelm. I have one traveling soul and I'd like to leave it a bit more evolved and at peace by the time I'm done living in this body for the next time around.

What do you need to say "no" to that you've continually being saying "yes" to? 

Katelyn

The veil between the realms.  

Thinning. 

My familiar's soul. 

Seeking. 

:: 

To honor my familiar, my little black kitty boy, Bonzai. You are missed. You are loved.

A special thank you to my dear friend Jennifer for being my assistant today for my photo shoot and for helping me crawl under barbed wire into this field. 

{{Mask:: Earthbound Trading}} {{Spider Web Talisman:: WL Cook}}

Katelyn

I felt drawn to create a pentagram out of flowers and pull cards for my elemental state. Needing guidance. And not knowing what to make of the cards pulled for my inner elements.

I'm feeling the darkness pull me in. And I'm not afraid this time. There is a lot of shadow lands I need to explore within myself. As a year long battle comes full circle and I finally feel the ties that bind loosening and releasing me.  

But listening.

-Katelyn